“I'm okay with that.”
Vera looks behind me again as the sound of footsteps grows louder. “I'll check in with you before things start.” My eyebrows pull together as she turns to walk away with a knowing smile pulling on her lips.
I feel his presence before I turn around to look at him and my heart melts at the sight of Cole standing in front of me. In his hand is a bouquet of the most beautiful flowers I've ever laidmy eyes on. The tears that threatened to fall before are definitely falling down the sides of my face now. I blink them away, a soft laugh escaping me as I lift my hands to brush them away from my cheeks.
“These are for you,” he says softly, handing me the massive bouquet. “I know it isn't much, but I want you to know how proud of you I am. This is completely out of your comfort zone and you're here. You're doin’ it. I think that alone speaks so much of how you have grown in the past few months.” He pauses for a moment, his lips pulling upwards in a smile. “You're the most amazing person I've ever met and I know you can do anything, El. I hope tonight helps you to see that.”
Another laugh falls from my lips and Cole steps closer, his hands cupping the sides of my face as he wipes a few stray tears away. He lowers his face to mine, his lips claiming mine in a slow, tender kiss that has my toes curling. Our surroundings fade away as his tongue slides against mine and I forget for a moment that we have an audience. Only when someone starts to slow clap, do I remember that we're in a gallery with other people.
Cole chuckles, his gaze colliding with mine as he pulls away from me and presses his lips to my forehead.
“That was movie worthy,” Austin calls out, clapping slowly as he walks up to the two of us. “Seriously, you deserve an Oscar for that entire performance, Wild.”
Cole rolls his eyes, moving to the side of me as he wraps his arm around my lower back. I melt against his side, my hand coming to his chest as I let him hold me against his body. “Maybe you can learn a thing or two.” Cole looks back at me and winks.
“Yeah, right,” Austin says as he mimics Cole and rolls his eyes before he looks at me with a playful grin and winks. “Good luck with this one.”
“Alright, everyone,” Vera cuts through the conversation as she begins to clap her hands. “People are outside and we're opening the doors in two minutes. Is everyone ready?”
Anxiety rolls through my stomach once more and Cole gives me a gentle squeeze, taking the flowers from me as he turns to face me. His mouth drops down to my ear. “You’ve got this, El. You can do this.” He presses his lips to my temple before pulling away from me. I suck in a shallow breath, nodding, letting his confidence in me wash over my body.
I can do this.
“Okay, it's showtime!” Vera calls out as she walks over to the door, her heels clicking on the floor. I move away from Cole as someone hands me a glass of champagne and I take a hearty sip just as the doors open and people begin to file inside. A smile pulls on my lips and I take another deep breath and head toward the crowd of people by the far wall.
I am doing this.
“Damn, little sis,” Wyatt says softly as he wraps his arm around the tops of my shoulders and pulls me close against his side. “I’m so proud of you.”
I slide my arm around his back, half hugging him as we stand in the center of the gallery. My eyes scan the walls, finding them all bare. “I can’t believe I actually did it. I can’t believe people bought all my paintings.”
“I can,” Wyatt says, kissing the top of my head. “You’re an insanely talented artist, El. Mom and Dad would be proud of you for chasing your dreams.”
My heart crawls into my throat, lodging itself there as my breath catches in my chest. I swallow hard, shoving down theemotion as I blink away the burning sensation in the corners of my eyes.
“I hope they would be,” I say, my voice quiet, turning my head to look up at him. “Thank you for coming tonight. Thank you for everything.”
Wyatt was able to get a week off from his residency program because of Iris being in the hospital so he’s been staying with her since she got home two days ago.
“That’s what I’m here for, El,” he tells me, a tender smile lifting his lips. “I know I’m not around like I should be, but I promise to be better with my time and make more of an effort.”
“It’s not just you,” I admit, my throat bobbing. “I could have come to Cheyenne more to visit you.” I pause. “And I will. Let’s both make more time for each other, when we can, of course.”
Wyatt releases my shoulders and holds his hand out. I reach for it, sliding my palm against his before we seal it with a firm shake. “Deal.”
Vera walks up to the two of us, her smile reaching her eyes as her gaze follows mine. “You did so well, Ella,” she says quietly as she looks back at me and then at my brother. “Can I borrow her for a few?”
Wyatt tips his chin at her. “Absolutely. I should head back to Iris’ in case Remi needs any help with her or Chloe.” Wyatt pulls me in for a hug. “Love you, El. I’m so proud of you.”
“Love you too,” I say against his chest, hugging him tightly before we break apart. Wyatt pats the top of my head, like he used to when we were kids and leaves with his laughter filling the air.
I direct my attention back to Vera and she’s watching me with a grin spreading across her lips.
“We have clients who requested to be on a list to see anything else you paint in the future.”
My jaw hurts from the emotion lodged in my throat and I swallow it back. “I don't even know what to say.”
“You did this, Ella,” she tells me, her voice filled with encouragement as she beams at me. “You say thank you and you go find that handsome cowboy of yours and go out to celebrate.”
